[EH] Roche Abbey. Maltby, South Yorkshire. April 2019

The initial approach here is quite narrow and uneven, then a short walk to the Abbey where you are greeted with the only parts of buildings to survive to their full height which are the east walls of the church transepts and the adjoining walls of the chancel.

It's official name is Sandbeck Park and Roche Abbey and dates back to 1147. Roche Abbey has one of the most complete ground plans of any English Cistercian monastery, laid out as excavated foundations. The site is now in the care of English Heritage. The cliff path walk provides access to a view across the abbey grounds where its layout can be appreciated. Many of the buildings are low-standing but the walls of the church still stand to full height and the gothic French idealism thrust into its design and architecture is visible. Later additions to the buildings included a kitchen area and abbot's quarters, built on the other side of the beck and accessed by a bridge which still stands. The monks' latrines were over Maltby Beck so the running water took away the waste. The stream was dammed higher up to ensure fast-flowing water: quite a modern facility for the 13th century. There are several local legends concerning ghosts, tunnels to other buildings, and even a lost wishing well.

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